{"id":108176,"date":"2025-10-08T01:27:05","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T05:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=108176"},"modified":"2025-10-08T01:27:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T05:27:05","slug":"how-brewers-can-sweep-cubs-2025-nlds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/10\/08\/how-brewers-can-sweep-cubs-2025-nlds\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Brewers Can Sweep the Cubs on Wednesday"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Milwaukee Brewers find themselves on the verge of a historic <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/10\/04\/how-brewers-match-up-against-cubs-2025-nlds\/\" target=\"_self\">NLDS<\/a> sweep over the Chicago Cubs heading into Game Three at Wrigley Field. Armed with creative pitching, explosive rookie power, and clutch situational hitting, here&#8217;s how the Brewers can seal the deal and punch their ticket to the National League Championship Series.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_108183\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-108183\" style=\"width: 964px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-108183\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27264520_168400885_lowres-300x259.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"964\" height=\"832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27264520_168400885_lowres-300x259.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27264520_168400885_lowres-768x664.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 964px) 100vw, 964px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-108183\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Brandon Lockridge (20), Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby (26) and Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) celebrate the final out after beating the Chicago Cubs 7-3 during the National League Division Series game at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Oct. 6, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>How the Brewers Can Sweep the Cubs in the NLDS<\/h2>\n<h3>Offensive Firepower at the Right Time<\/h3>\n<p>The Brewers have flipped the script on their season-long power narrative, unloading a barrage of home runs at crucial moments in both games against Chicago. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/vaughan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Vaughn<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/contrwi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Contreras<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/chourja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jackson Chourio<\/a> have not only provided early leads but also demoralized the Cubs by responding to adversity immediately. Vaughn&#8217;s three-run homer matched <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suzukse01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Seiya Suzuki<\/a>&#8216;s opening blast for Chicago, while Contreras and Chourio added the finishing touches to keep momentum in Milwaukee&#8217;s favor. This kind of timely hitting has been rare during the regular season, but the Brewers&#8217; ability to capitalize on scoring chances against the Cubs\u2019 vaunted staff has made all the difference.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">THREAD: Best home radio calls from an electric Game 2 \ud83e\uddf5<\/p>\n<p>We start with King Vaughn&#8217;s game-tying bomb <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xMtOxZvlEt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/xMtOxZvlEt<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Brewers\/status\/1975581046885523614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Pitching Ingenuity and Bullpen Depth<\/h3>\n<p>Despite injuries to key starters like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/woodrbr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Woodruff<\/a>, the Brewers have excelled by leveraging their bullpen depth and playing the matchups perfectly. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/misioja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Misiorowski<\/a> delivered pivotal outs in middle relief, stabilizing the team when the Cubs&#8217; offense threatened. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/peralfr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Freddy Peralta<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/ashbyaa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aaron Ashby<\/a>, and flame-throwers like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/u\/uribeab01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Abner Uribe<\/a> at their disposal, Milwaukee can mix and match to neutralize Chicago&#8217;s lefty-heavy lineup and counter the Cubs&#8217; attempts to jumpstart rallies. Game Three could see manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/managers\/murphpa99.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pat Murphy<\/a> deploy an opener or another rookie arm, keeping the Cubs off-balance and forcing them to adjust to unfamiliar looks. This is a strategy that&#8217;s worked exceptionally well so far.<\/p>\n<h3>Exploiting Cubs\u2019 Offensive Weaknesses<\/h3>\n<p>The Cubs have consistently underperformed in high-leverage situations and when trailing. This damning truth has reared its head repeatedly in this series. With a slash line of .241\/.321\/.409 when behind, Chicago\u2019s key hitters like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/crowape01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pete Crow-Armstrong<\/a>, Seiya Suzuki, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/buschmi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Busch<\/a> have failed to deliver when their team is down. Milwaukee&#8217;s pitchers have attacked aggressively, often shutting the door before the Cubs can mount significant comebacks. The Brewers\u2019 approach has combined patience at the plate with speed on the bases. They have forced defensive errors, worked counts, and refused to give the Cubs any breathing room. By maintaining pressure with stolen base threats like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/frelisa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sal Frelick<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/turanbr02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brice Turang<\/a>, Milwaukee can further exploit Chicago\u2019s middle-of-the-pack bullpen. This turns singles and walks into game-changing runs.<\/p>\n<h3>Key Factors for the Sweep<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Jump out to an early lead\n<ul>\n<li>Set the tone with patient at-bats and timely power hitting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Aggressive bullpen management\n<ul>\n<li>Neutralize Chicago\u2019s best bats with fresh arms and different looks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Take advantage of the Cubs\u2019 inability to rally\n<ul>\n<li>Stay focused defensively and avoid high-leverage lapses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Use team speed against Chicago\u2019s defense\n<ul>\n<li>Swipe bases and force mistakes on pressure plays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the Brewers stick to the aggressive, creative formula that\u2019s gotten them this far, the scene at Wrigley could be a triumphant road celebration of an NLDS sweep. A sweep that will resonate throughout the NL playoffs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Milwaukee Brewers find themselves on the verge of a historic NLDS sweep over the Chicago Cubs heading into Game Three at Wrigley Field. Armed with creative pitching, explosive rookie power, and clutch situational hitting, here&#8217;s how the Brewers can seal the deal and punch their ticket to the National League Championship Series. How the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5561,"featured_media":102859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27,1071,35],"tags":[28489,2598,1984,2027,2514,6506,28858,21201,4885,5896],"class_list":["post-108176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brewers","category-mlb","category-news","tag-aaron-ashby","tag-andrew-vaughn","tag-brandon-woodruff","tag-brice-turang","tag-freddy-peralta","tag-jackson-chourio","tag-jacob-misiorowski","tag-pat-murphy","tag-sal-frelick","tag-william-contreras"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5561"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108176"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108184,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108176\/revisions\/108184"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/102859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}